Finger-board for stringed instruments



(No Model.) I

H. G. MIDDLEBROOKE. FINGER BOARD FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

"No. 463,954. Patented Nov. 24, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOBART C. MIDDLEBROOKE, OF ROCK RAPIDS, IOYVA.

FINGER-BOARD FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,954, dated November 24, 1891.

Application filed February 26, 1891. Serial No. 382,874, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOBART C. MIDDLE- BROOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Rapids, in the county of Lyon and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Finger-Boards; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to linger-boards for such instruments as banjos, banjorines, guitars, mandolins, zithers, bass-viols, violoncel- 10s, &c., which employ frets.

The object of my invention is to obtain clearness in tone, prevent rattling, and render the fingering easier.

The improvement consists in providing a gradual slope in the rear of each fret, which tapers to the plane of the face of the fingerboard. This sloping portion may be independent of or form a part of the fret or neck, as found most convenient.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is-a top plan View of a banjo, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the upper portion of the neck. Fig. 3 isamodification.

The banjo A is typical of the class of musical instruments to which the invention is applicable. The frets B have a sloping portion 17 in their rear, which tapers to the plane of the face of the fingerboard. This sloping portion b may be integral with the fret, as

shown in Fig. 3, or form part of the fingerboard, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and recedes from the top edge of one fret until it app roaches the next fret, substantially as shown.

It will be observed that there are no sharp corners for the fingers to press upon. Hence the pressure of the fingers on the strings can be increased without hurting the fingers, thereby stopping the strings and preventing rattling.

Having thus described my in vention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, lS-

1. The combination, in a banjo or similar stringed musical instrument, of frets having sloping portions in the rear thereof, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a banjo or similar stringed musical instruments, of frets having sloping portions in the rear thereof which recede and taper to the plane of the fingerboard until it approaches the next fret, substantially as specified.

3. A finger-board for stringed musical instruments provided with frets and having sloping portions in the rear of the frets integral with the finger-board, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOBART G. MIDDLE'BROOKE.

Witnesses:

O. A. PHILIPP, THEODORE GooLn. 

